N75RR

On February 14, 1999, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172K, N75RR, registered to an individual, nosed down during landing at Marathon Airport, Marathon, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Lantana, Florida, the same day, about 0800.

The pilot stated he received the current weather conditions from the unicom operator as he approached Marathon Airport for landing. The active runway was 7 and he would have a quartering tailwind at 18 knots with gusts to 22 knots during landing. He landed on runway 7 and encountered strong quartering tailwinds that affected the steering of the aircraft. He pushed forward on the elevator control to get the nose wheel on the runway and the wind lifted the tail causing the propeller and right wing to contact the runway. He regained control and taxied to the ramp.

The Marathon Airport, 0853 eastern standard time automated surface weather observation reported winds were from 360 degrees at 16 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The 0953 surface weather observation reported winds were from 010 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 21 knots. (See attached weather reports)